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Supporter groups in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire

Visitors on a group garden tour at Hughenden, Buckinghamshire
Visitors on a group tour | © National Trust Images/John Millar

If you’d like to meet other National Trust members and volunteers near you for day trips, talks, holidays and volunteering, why not join a supporter group? With 13 National Trust supporter groups across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, there’s bound to be one close by. Find out about each of the supporter groups in the three counties and how to join.

Why join a supporter group?

Getting together with other National Trust enthusiasts, members and volunteers who feel passionate about the same things is priceless. Sharing unique experiences and finding out more about the places you care about is what being part of a local National Trust supporter group is all about.

From listening to expert talks and going on behind-the-scenes tours to taking relaxing holidays or restoring natural habitats in the great outdoors, you’ll be part of something amazing. Supporter groups promote and assist the National Trust’s work within their local area and raise money for conservation and development projects through all kinds of events.

The Abingdon Association

The Abingdon and District Association draws its membership from the area between Oxford and the Berkshire Downs. They add value and fun to supporting the National Trust with a varied programme of events.

National Trust places they support

The success of the Abingdon Association’s programme means they can fundraise for several National Trust places and wider appeals. Places they support include:

  • Priory Cottages
  • Great Coxwell Barn
  • Greys Court
  • Basildon Park
  • Chastleton House

The Amersham Centre

Formed in 1970, the Amersham Centre is a voluntary group of National Trust members and volunteers. They aim to provide a lively and interesting programme while promoting the Trust and raising funds for its vital work.

Since 2000 they have raised over £133,000 to support the work of the Trust in looking after special places. In the five years to August 2023, they contributed £21,000 from this fund to the local National Trust properties Cliveden and Hughenden.

Most of our members come from Chesham, Amersham, Chorleywood, the Chalfonts, Great Missenden, Prestwood and surrounding areas but we welcome allcomers.

The Aylesbury Centre

The Aylesbury Centre is a voluntary association of National Trust members and volunteers, founded in 1974. The association meets regularly to enjoy a programme of evening talks, outings to National Trust properties and other destinations, an annual holiday, coffee mornings and more.

They publish a newsletter for members three times a year. The Aylesbury Centre welcomes members from Aylesbury, Aylesbury Vale, and beyond.

National Trust places they support

Through their programme of events, the Aylesbury Centre aims to raise funds which are donated annually towards National Trust projects, usually within the Aylesbury Vale. The association principally supports smaller properties including:

  • Claydon House
  • Boarstall Duck Decoy
  • Ashridge Estate

There is no obligation to actively support the Trust but some members also volunteer at properties such as Claydon, Waddesdon and Stowe.

The Aylesbury Centre places an emphasis on improving the visitor experience at Trust places, particularly for children’s education, and on environmental improvements.

A few years ago, they developed a booklet on Florence Nightingale for children to use at Claydon House.

Duchess of Sutherland boat on the River Thames at Cliveden in spring
Duchess of Sutherland on the River Thames at Cliveden | © National Trust Images/Hugh Mothersole

Beaconsfield Centre

The Beaconsfield Centre was founded in 1971 and has a friendly, vibrant membership drawn from Beaconsfield and the surrounding area. The group promotes and supports the work of the National Trust and has close links with local properties Cliveden and Hughenden.

Friends of Finchampstead Ridges

The Friends of Finchampstead Ridges volunteer to carry out conservation work at:

  • Finchampstead Ridges
  • Simon’s Wood
  • Ambarrow Hill

These sites are home to a significant area of heathland, which is a greatly declining habitat in Europe, but vital for many specialist species.

Finchampstead's dedicated volunteer team – some 35 people strong – includes members of the local community from all walks of life who give up their time to ensure that Finchampstead Ridges stays special for everyone, for ever.

Friends of Watlington Hill

The Friends of Watlington Hill is a National Trust Volunteer Group who carry out practical conservation work close to the small town of Watlington. The group was formed in 1989 at the request of Lord Esher, whose family gave Watlington Hill to the National Trust.

A walking group with volunteer guide at Tarn Hows, Cumbria
A walking group at Tarn Hows | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Maidenhead Association

The Maidenhead Association was founded in 1985. The area covered by the association includes Windsor and stretches from Twyford in the west to Slough in the east.

Anyone who is interested in helping to promote the National Trust locally, raise funds in its support and arrange a programme of events and activities to enrich members’ understanding of this work is welcome to join.

National Trust places they support

The association supports local National Trust properties including:

  • Cliveden
  • Hughenden Manor
  • Greys Court
  • Maidenhead and Cookham Commons

Marlow Association

The Marlow National Trust Association was formed in 1984 and currently has some 400 members from Marlow and District as well as towns and villages such as Henley, Bourne End, Flackwell Heath and Bisham. Many members also volunteer at local National Trust properties.

Members enjoy a range of events such as holidays (both in the UK and overseas), daytime outings and evening meetings with guest speakers. These events enable the association to support projects at local National Trust properties including:

  • Cliveden
  • Hughenden Manor
  • West Wycombe
  • Grey’s Court
  • Nuffield Place

One such project involved working with the National Trust to help finance younger school children to take part in educational schemes at local National Trust properties.

Milton Keynes Association

The Milton Keynes Association was founded in 1985 and runs a programme of visits, lectures, holidays and social events to support the work of the National Trust. The association has around 160 members from Milton Keynes and the surrounding area.

Visitors in the Parterre garden with the house in the background at Cliveden, Buckinghamshire
Visitors in the Parterre garden at Cliveden | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Newbury and District Association

The Newbury and District Association holds meetings with speakers between September and May each year in support of the National Trust. The talks cover a wide range of subjects including National Trust topics, conservation, heritage and applied art. Meetings are usually held at a local venue in Newbury on the second Monday of the month.

Oxford Centre

The Oxford Centre of the National Trust was founded in 1968 and brings together people from the Oxford area with a common interest in seeing and preserving local heritage.

National Trust places they support

Properties supported by the Oxford Centre include:

  • Nuffield Place
  • Hughenden
  • Greys Court
  • Coleshill and Buscot Estate

Reading Centre

The Reading Centre is a voluntary group of National Trust members from Reading and the surrounding area. They aim to provide a range of social activities and events for members to raise funds to support National Trust projects.

A levy is added to the cost of each event and each year the money raised is donated mostly to local National Trust properties for projects which they are unable to fund from their normal budget.

Wycombe Centre

The Wycombe Centre formed in 1978 to promote and enhance the work of the National Trust and to maximise enjoyment and social contact between National Trust members.

Guided walks around Clent Hills in partnership with Cotswold Outdoors, Worcestershire

All about supporter groups

Find more information on supporter groups and up-to-date contact details for each group.

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North Cotswold Association 

Based in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire, the North Cotswold Association welcomes members from other nearby counties including Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

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Supporter group directory 

Use the supporter group directory (PDF) to find membership enquiry contact details and links to group websites for further information.